Two Brothers Hop Juice

Brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Warrenville, Illinois USA

Bottle from the Spirit Haus. Consumed July ’06 in Amherst, Mass. Much like the HopSlam, and Stone’s 10th Anniversary IPA, this beer is a little bit over-hopped. I love hops, dont get me wrong, but I also appreciate balance. Very stinky, sweet, resinous PNW hop aroma. A little bit of sweet malts are there too, but its mainly hops. Flavor is very strong fresh hops and alcohol. As it warmed a bit, the alcohol was a little sharp and pestering. Good, but not great.

22 oz. Bottle: Pours a crystal clear fiery amber with an escalating, frothy head that doesn’t stay. The nose is a picture of balance - sweet caramel malts and juicy citrus hops are harmonious. A dirty yeast profile is the only hindrance. The full body isn’t too bitter, but packs enough punch to balance the malty body. The balance continues throughout, although the hops seem slightly soggy under the weight of the malt. A little better hop definition and this would be out of this world. As is, pretty dang tasty.

On tap at Sheffield’s. Lots of c hops in aroma and taste. Good, but not as over the top as the name would suggest. It’s amazing....some time ago, this may have been the hoppiest beer on the market. These days....it’s above average, but nothing crazy.

Bomber - Poured an orangish dark amber in color with a small white head that faded fairly quickly but produced some decent lacing. Aroma is somewhat sweet and strong with fruity hops with some resiny pine. Flavor is very strong of fruity hops and medium bitter. Very little malts to balance this brew, but the unbalanced nature seems to fit the name... enjoyable by more than hopheads, but truly a hop head’s dream... I like it a lot!!

Draught: Strong, bitter hop aroma. Floral and piney. Poured amber in color with a small, creamy, white head. Great lacing. Clear. Not sparkling. Flavor is all hops! Unbalanced, as not malt flavor is present. Not all that bitter to me. Soft carbonation. Light to medium body. Dry, medium-bitter finish. A nice IIPA, but could be more bitter.

Pours a moslty clear light amber/deep copper with a fluffy sticky beige head and some great laceing. Aroma is sticky pungent, rapefruit, minty and pine, with a bit of alcohol and solvent. Sticky pine, lemon, very bitter and resinous with a moderate to light malt backbone. Pretty good DIPA.

Bottle from Capone’s. Dark copper pour with 1-finger, creamy, off-white head. Aroma of deep resiny West Coast wet hops, some chardonnay, and caramel malt, plus tropical citrus. Tastes very piney hoppy, on the dry side, with a firm caramel malt base. The palate is fairly sticky, somewhat dense, and complex. This one gets a bit too sticky and a tad hot for me at the finish, otherwise it would be rated even higher. Still, get ya some of this while you can, or I’m gonna beat you to it!

Draft at KClingers. Dark and reflective orange, very still, the foamy head disappated after the first sip. Slightly hop-oily aroma, somewhat more evident in the palate. Somewhat citrusy, slightly astringent, strongly flavored ... reminds me of eating frozen orange juice concentrate with a spoon. (#2714, 2/18/2007)